We all know the feeling. The rain is lashing against the window, the wind is howling like a banshee around the eaves, and your clubs are looking forlornly at you from the corner of the room. It is one of those uniquely Irish days where the only driving you will be doing is to the shops for milk.
But just because you cannot get out on the fairways does not mean you cannot get lost in the game we all love. Some of the best rounds of golf are played in the imagination, guided by the words of those who have walked the links before us.
Whether you are looking for inspiration for your next road trip, insight into the minds of our major champions, or just a good laugh to get you through the off-season, Irish golf writing has it all. We have scoured the shelves to bring you our Editor’s Choice of ten books worth your time. Stick the kettle on, pour yourself a cup of tea (or something stronger), and settle in.
– A Course Called Ireland by Tom Coyne
If you only read one book on this list, make it this one. Tom Coyne sets off on an epic walk around Ireland with golf clubs in tow, stitching together a journey that is part pilgrimage, part pub crawl (in the best way), and part “what am I doing with my life?” repeated daily.
He plays a serious amount of seaside golf along the way, from famous links to smaller courses, and the kind of places that remind you golf does not need hype to be brilliant. It is funny, honest, occasionally exhausting, and oddly motivating. You will finish it itching to book a tee time, though maybe do not start by walking the whole country.
– Hooked: An Amateur’s Guide to the Golf Courses of Ireland by Kevin Markham
For the planner in all of us, this is the bible. Kevin Markham did what every golfer has threatened to do after a great round and a few pints: he went out and played every 18-hole course on the island, around 350 at the time. Yes, that kind of commitment.
The result is a proper golfer’s companion: honest, detailed, and packed with the sort of practical insight you will actually use when deciding where to play next. Whether you are ticking off the big hitters or hunting for somewhere new this weekend, Hooked is the book you will keep reaching for.
– An Open Book by Darren Clarke
Darren Clarke has always been a fan favourite, a man who wears his heart on his sleeve and plays with a passion that resonates with Irish golfers. His autobiography is exactly that: raw, honest, and genuinely moving.
He charts his rise from Dungannon to the heights of the European Tour, but the heart of the book deals with the loss of his wife, Heather, and the long road back. It also takes you inside the pressure of the Ryder Cup at The K Club, before culminating in that magical week at Royal St George’s where he finally lifted the Claret Jug. It is a tear-jerker and a triumph, much like the man himself.
– Emerald Fairways and Foam-Flecked Seas by James W. Finegan
James Finegan’s writing is like a smooth swing: effortless, elegant, and effective. This classic travelogue is widely regarded as one of the best books ever written about golf in Ireland.
Finegan does not just describe the holes. He paints the landscape, the history, and the atmosphere of the courses. He captures the rugged beauty of the west coast links and the parkland prestige of the east with equal skill. It is a slightly more high-brow read than Coyne or Markham, perfect for savouring slowly and daydreaming about Ballybunion or Portmarnock.
– Obsessed: Inside Padraig Harrington’s Head by Paul Keane
We all know Padraig Harrington is a bit different. His work ethic is legendary, his practice drills are unusual, and his intensity is fierce. But what actually goes on inside the mind of Ireland’s three-time major winner?
Paul Keane gets right into the psychology of the Dubliner, exploring the relentless drive for perfection that took him to the top of the world. It is a fascinating look at the fine line between dedication and obsession. If you have ever found yourself tinkering with your grip at 2 a.m., you will relate to this more than you would care to admit.
– Links of Heaven by Richard Phinney and Scott Whitley
This one is a cult favourite, but it is not just a couple of lads wandering about for the craic. It is part guide, part love letter to Irish golf. Phinney and Whitley go region by region, mixing history, local colour, and the kind of detail that makes you want to plan an entire trip around one county.
It is especially strong on the “why” of Irish golf. The land. The wind. The people. The small traditions you do not notice until you are back home and you miss them. If you like your golf writing with a bit of substance, this is a gem.
– Himself: Christy O’Connor (compiled by Seamus Smith)
Before Rory, before Padraig, before Darren, there was Himself. Christy O’Connor was a giant of Irish golf: cool under pressure, fiercely competitive, and spoken about with real reverence by anyone who remembers that era.
This book captures the time when European golf was finding its swagger and Irish players were earning their place at the top table. It is not just nostalgia. It is proper sporting history, with stories that explain why Christy mattered so much. If you have ever heard someone say they do not make them like him anymore, this is the man they are talking about.
– Driving the Green by Kevin Markham
Kevin Markham makes the list twice, and for good reason. Driving the Green is the spiritual successor to Hooked, but with more narrative and adventure. This time, he takes us along for the ride in his trusty (and occasionally rusty) campervan as he chases courses and stories.
It is less of a review guide and more of a travel tale, capturing the quirky characters he meets, the weather battles he endures, and the pure joy of waking up beside a golf course. It nails the essence of the Irish golfing road trip.
– Paul McGinley: Landscape of Success
Paul McGinley is not just a Ryder Cup winner. He is one of Ireland’s sharpest golf minds, and this book shows it.
Best known for captaining Europe to victory at Gleneagles in 2014, McGinley takes you inside the decisions, the leadership, and the people management that go into building a winning team. Yes, it leans into leadership and performance, but it never turns into a dry business lecture. It is still packed with competitive insight.
If you have ever tried to keep a group together when the wheels start wobbling on the back nine, you will know the feeling. You will finish it thinking you could captain your own Sunday fourball, or at least stop it falling apart by the turn.
– Golfland Ireland
This is the “leave it on the coffee table and make visitors jealous” book. Big, beautiful, and unapologetically glossy in the best way.
The photography by David Cannon is top tier: sunrise tee shots, moody dunes, and that very Irish mix of beauty and menace when the weather turns. But it is not just pictures. It is curated properly, with enough context to make it feel like a tribute rather than a brochure. Written by Michael Atkinson and Craig Morrison, it is the kind of book you will dip into all winter. If you are itching for the first tee again, this is the next best thing to being there at sunrise.
Final Putt
If the weather has you pinned indoors, these books are a handy way to keep your head in golf without touching a club. Some will make you laugh. A couple might catch you in the throat. A few will have you planning a trip before you even finish the chapter.
Pick one that suits your mood this week, and when you do get back out there, bring one small idea with you. A calmer mindset. A smarter way to think about a bad bounce. A reminder that everyone struggles in the wind.
And if you want to take that winter motivation and turn it into lower scores, pair the reading with a simple plan: a short golf lesson, a clear focus, and a bit of practice that actually has purpose. You will enjoy your golf more for it.
Have we missed your favourite? Give us a shout on our socials and tell us which Irish golf books always end up back on your shelf. Until then, happy reading, and here’s hoping the rain eases off soon.
